*** Apologies for cross-posting *** ************************************************ ECPR Summer School in Methods and Techniques 2008: For those interested in qualitative data (Ethnography, Interviews, Focus groups)and collecting data with information-communication technologies, special attention to the course: INTERACTIVE QUALITATIVE DATA: ONLINE AND OFFLINE ETHNOGRAPHY, FOCUS GROUPS AND INTERVIEWING The course will cover three different methods for collecting qualitative data in both offline and online contexts. The first week will first cover ethnographic fieldwork', concentrating on participant observation at specific field sites, to examine social processes and the production of meaning in those settings. Second, individual interviewing techniques will focus on in-depth conversations that investigate research participants' experiences with and perspectives on the research topic. Virtual ethnography and online qualitative interviews will also be introduced, including lessons about how to participate in political, social and cultural settings online, as virtual fieldworkers and online interviewers. The second week will provide an in-depth examination of focus group interviewing: * how to design projects using focus groups, (selection and recruitment of participants, etc.); * how to write interview guides; * how to moderate focus groups. For each topic, there will be a presentation on the variety of available options, followed by a discussion on how to evaluate these options for specific research purposes. These topics will be covered for face-to-face as well as online focus groups. The instructors will give lectures, conduct example focus groups, interviews online and offline, and lead hands-on exercises so that participants receive practical information and tips. Course Instructors: Prof David L. Morgan, Portland State University dr Bojana Lobe, University of Ljubljana For more information and registration details, please visit: http://www.essex.ac.uk/ecpr/events/summerschools/ljubljana/index.aspx